IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN GEORGIAN POPULATION.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue to be the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, representing 30% of all death. In Georgia 36% of all death caused by ischemic heart disease and 23% caused by stroke. There is a limited data on association between socioeconomic status (SES) and CVD risk in Georgia. Our study aims at assessing association between SES and CVD risk factors in a cohort of adult Georgians. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the region of Western Georgia between June 2007 - June 2008. 1196 individuals aged 40-70 years were enrolled in the study. To assess SES we collected information about education, income, ownership of a private transport, and employment. CVD risk was assessed by the WHO/ISH risk classification scale. In addition, anthropometric measurements were conducted in each study participant. Low education level (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.57-5.17), obesity (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.16 -3.92) and abdominal obesity (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.26 -3.87) were statically significantly associated with more than 10% 10 year risk of a fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event. Lower education level (not finished high school -aOR 2.21 95% CI 1.44 - 3.38, undergraduate - aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12 - 2,05), income 120 USD or more (aOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54 -1.00), overweight (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.07 - 2.63), obesity (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04 - 2.41), and abdominal obesity (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.01 - 2.03) were found to be statistically significant predictors of CVD in our study population. We found that education level, income, body mass index and waist to hip ratio are CVD risk factors. Public health authorities, as well as clinicians should consider this finding in primary and secondary prevention and organize multidisciplinary teams to address those risk factors.

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT WHO/ISH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK GROUPS.

The objective of the study was to analyze association of echocardiographic TOD variables with the CVD risk groups defined by WHO/ISH. A cross-sectional study was conducted between (September 2008 - December 2010) Consecutive sample of 146 participants were enrolled in the study, 97 (66.4 %) women and (49) 33,6 % men, mean age. Study population was categorized in three groups according to WHO/ISH risk categories: Group 1 included population with risk less than 10% according to WHO/ISH, in Group 2 there were united two WHO/ISH risk categories (10-10.9% and 20-29.9%) and Group 3 represented population of 30-39.9% and more than 40% of CVD risk. Routine Echocardiography was conducted. The data was analyzed using SPSS, version 21. The distribution of echocardiography characteristics in WHO/ISH groups was statistically different for LA, PSP and EF (P<0.05). In groups I and II LA were only mildly dilated, while in group III was revealed moderate LA enlargement. The mean PSP was in normal range in groups I and II and mildly to moderate elevated in group III. The mean EF was in normal range for all the groups with tendency of reduction from group I to group III. Unlike this we have not found statistically significant differences in other echocardiographic variables, as IVS, PWT, LVD and LVEDV and they were in normal range for all risk groups. According to the findings of our study and considering that our study population is without any clinical presentation of cardiovascular disease and still have statistically significant tendency toward increase in LA and PSP we argue that those variables can be considered as early predictors of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, it is recommended to include echocardiographic examination as part of the CVD risk evaluation protocol in selected population.

ASSOCIATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ADULTS WITHOUT CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF HEART FAILURE.

The objective the study was to assess the association between echocardiographic parameters and established cardiovascular risk factors in adults without clinical manifestation of heart failure (HF). A cross-sectional study was conducted between (September 2008 - December 2010) Consecutive sample of 177 participants were enrolled in the study. We performed routine Transthoracic Echocardiography and evaluated several well established cardiovascular risk factors. The data was analyzed using SPSS, version 16. LA was significantly correlated with age (r 0.396, p<0.000), WC (r 0.291, p<0.005), BMI (r 0.233, p<0.005), SBP (r 0.208, p<0.012) and TCH (r 0.163, p<0.049); IVS - with age (r 0.318, p<0.000), WC (r 0.259, p<0.002), BMI (r 0.178, p<0.032), TCH (r 0.191, p<0.022); PWT - with age (r 0 313, p<0.000), WC (r 0.270, p<0.001), BMI (r 0.204, p<0.013), TCH (r 0.168, p<0.042); LVD - WC (r 0.201, p<0.015) and BG (r 0.176, p<0.034); with LVEDV - WC (r 0.240, p<0.004); with EF - SBP (r- 0.202, p<0.015), DBP (r -0.171, p<0.015) and with PSP - age (r 0.286, p<0.000), SBP (r-0.243, p<0.003), DBP (r 0.254, p<0.002). As echocardiography characteristics are independent risk factors for Heart Failure development and progression and as most of them are correlated the age and obesity variables it should be appropriate to conduct routine echocardiography in aged and obese patients even in low CVD risk group. This statement particularly relevant for Georgia as the frequency of obesity is very high in the Georgian population.

[Influence of geomagnetic storms on the balance of autonomic regulatory mechanisms].

The investigation aimed to evaluate autonomic regulatory mechanisms in practically healthy persons during the geomagnetically quiet periods and during geomagnetic storms. The examinations were conducted among the volunteer young men (n=64) 18-22 years of age. The autonomic function was studied on the basis of the heart rate variability. The geomagnetically quiet periods were considered when the value of the K-index was no more then 2 and a geomagnetic storm was considered when the value of the index was 5 and more. It is ascertained that in the both cases the basic statistical indices of the heart rate were identical. The analysis of R-R intervals spectral power gave the possibility to sort the persons examined into the three different groups. The data obtained allowed to suggest that geomagnetic storms influence human organisms through the vagus centers by means of their excitation. This phenomenon may be considered as a self-regulatory physiologic mechanism of the adaptive character. The analysis of the spectral power of R-R intervals may be considered as a sensitive method for the detection of the magnitolabile persons.